David Guiney, the postmaster of the Portland Post Office, conducted a casual meeting of Newfield residents on Jan. 17 regarding a “realignment of hours” at the Newfield Post Office at 68 Elm Street.

The meeting was held at the post office, with about a dozen residents attending.

According to Sheila Beal, the officer in charge, the proposal for Newfield’s post office and other small post offices is to cut their window hours in half on weekdays. Under the proposal, Newfield’s post office would be open on weekdays from 8 to 10 a.m. and from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. in order to conduct mail and package business. The lobby of the post office would remain open all day in order for people to get their mail.

The Newfield Post Office has boxes only and offers no street deliveries.

The post office’s Saturday hours, from 8 to 11:30 a.m., would not be affected by this change.

Beal, who lives up the street from the post office, stated that these proposed changes would not be an inconvenience for her; however, she would prefer to have the post office open all day. “Given the alternatives,” she said, however, she called the proposal the better choice. She also said that the U.S. Postal Service “would do what they have to do.”

Beal said that she would know more in a couple of weeks, and any changes would not be put into effect possibly until the end of February.

Beal currently works six days a week at the post office, without the assistance of a Post Master Relief. If anyone is interested in working as her relief, please see her during regular office hours, or call 793-8535. The position guarantees four hours a week, on Saturdays, and the person must be on call if Beal needs to take some time off for a meeting, or other reason.

At this time, there are three other local post offices, in West Newfield, Limerick and Shapleigh, that are within Newfield’s office and would be available for service during Newfield’s closed hours.

BUTTERFLIES IN THE TREES

Did you know that more than 360 species of butterflies and moths live in the scrub oak and pitch pine trees of the Vernon Walker Wildlife Management area in Newfield, Shapleigh and Waterboro?

According to the Forest Works newsletter, these trees have been a haven for many species, due to the forest management practices of the logging industry and The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. In a project that will be completed by this spring, the department has supervised strip clear cut trees to mimic the effects of a forest fire, “so that the forest will regenerate itself; and gradually transition itself to native white pine, black spruce and white spruce.” Funds generated by this project will benefit the state’s wildlife management program.

The strip clearcuts will also benefit a whole range of other animals, from white tail deer to rare Black Racer snakes to New England cottontail rabbits.

The Forest Works newsletter is published by the Francis Small Heritage Trust, which is a local nonprofit organization in Limerick that works to conserve the donation of woodlands for hiking and nature trails. To get more information, or to become a member, visit online at www.FSHT.org or call 637-3510.

SHELTER SEEKING DONATIONS

The Ray Angers Farm on the Garland Road in West Newfield is looking for donations of some fishing gear.

Also, York County Shelter Programs is hoping for the donations of a 10-foot by 10-foot pop-up tent, folding tables and chairs, and a picnic table. As well, the shelter also needs personal care products for all its residents, such as disposable razors, shaving cream, deodorant, shampoo, cream rinse, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and more.

Anyone interested in providing any of the above items may drop them off at the shelter at Shaker Hill Road in Alfred.

LET’S HAVE SOME FUN!

The Newfield Recreation Committee is having a meeting tonight, Thursday, Jan. 24, to welcome suggestions on how to have more fun.

The meeting, to be headed by Chairman Craig Richardson, will be held at the West Newfield Town Hall at 23 South Effingham Road, across from the West Newfield Post Office, at 7 p.m.

If you would like to have more fun, come and make some suggestions.

According to the town office, Richardson is requesting a $2,500 budget for the upcoming year, and has organized a calender of events, but is open to other interesting ideas. What’s yours?

■ Newfield firefighters will have a work session on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the Public Safety Building at 85 Water Street at 7 p.m.

■ Newfield selectmen will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the Newfield Town Office at 637 Water Street at 7 p.m.

■ Tea Time will be held at the Newfield Village Library on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 637 Water Street at 3 p.m.

COUNTRY CUPBOARD

Let’s make some good, old fashioned chili this week to warm our bones. January is a cold month, so let’s heat it up with something hot and spicy.

From “Alice’s Restaurant Cookbook,” our recipe is for Alice’s Famous Chili.

Alice’s Famous Chili

3 medium onions, chopped

3 green peppers, chopped

3 large cloves of garlic, finely chopped

1 or 2 pounds of ground beef

1 or 2 cans tomatoes

1 can tomato paste

2- 8 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon sugar

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon basil

1-2 cans kidney beans

A pinch of cayenne

Some hot chili sauce

A sprinkling of salt, pepper and paprika

In a half inch of oil or bacon fat, sauté the onions, green peppers, and garlic, until soft. In another pan, brown the ground beef. Drain the fat from the beef and add the beef to the onion mixture. Now add the canned tomatoes, tomato paste and the desired amount of chili powder. Add the sugar, salt pepper and paprika, bay leaves, cumin, basil, cayenne and hot chili sauce. Simmer this mixture for at least half an hour until it is good and thick. Then add the kidney beans.

Serve chili on top of white rice and top with chopped raw onions. Makes 6-8 servings.